united states coast guard auxiliarypatrick j. unniff, sr., dd -p response omo ronald w. ooth, dd -r...

Nor’Easter United States Coast Guard Auxiliary

First District Northern Region Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island Winter 2021 Issue

U.S Department of Homeland Security

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UNITED STATES COAST GUARD

District Commander RDML Thomas G. Allan, Jr.

Chief of Prevention CAPT Richard Schultz

Director of Auxiliary District 1NR CDR Christina D. Sullivan

Operations Training Officer BOSN 2 Elijah Reynolds

U.S. COAST GUARD AUXILIARY

District Commodore Byron A. Moe, Jr.

District Chief of Staff David G McClure

Immediate Past District Commodore COMO Charles B. Grossimon

District Captain North Henry A. Marchi

District Captain Boston Glen Alan Gayton

District Captain South Patrick J. Cunniff, Sr.

Auxiliary Sector Coordinators

ASC Sector Northern New England James Malcolm Maxner

ASC Sector Boston James B. Healy

ASC Sector Southern New England (West) Dennis F. Jacques

ASC Sector Southern New England (East) Jeffrey D. Thomas

District 1NR Directorate Chiefs

Logistics Mitchell F. Paine, DDC-L

Prevention Patrick J. Cunniff, Sr., DDC-P

Response COMO Ronald W. Booth, DDC-R

Civil Rights Coordinator Wesley M. Baden

Division Commanders 2021

Division 1 Francis Flavio McDevitt Division 2 John Robert Byrne Division 3 James S. Crocker Division 4 John Alan Flanagan Division 5 Irwin M. Cohen Division 6 Carol Diane Wilkinson Division 7 Marcus Paul Mitchell Division 9 Charles Irvin Motes, Jr. Division 10 Mary Bentley Division 11 Dennis Ray Bunnell Division 12 Kevin P. Ritchie

District Staff Officers

Prevention Department Harlan M. Doliner DSO-MS Donald B. Ladd, Jr. DSO-MT Stephen Price Wagner DSO-NS Lance John McNally DSO-PE Raymond C. Julian DSO-PV Robert Harold Amiro DSO-VE Response Department Carl D. England, Jr. DSO-AV Charles Irvin Motes, Jr DSO-CM Joseph J. Hogan DSO-OP Logistics Department William J. Bell DSO-CS Carolyn E. McClure DSO-FS Dewayne R. Roos DSO-HR Debra M. Hilbert DSO-IS Jeffery Murray Pierce DSO-PA Thomas Broderick DSO-PB Allen R. Padwa DSO-SR Richard Bruce Brady DSO-DV Jason Oliveira DSO-AS Report to Commodore Normand R. Choquette DSO-FN Gary A. Gordon DSO-IM COMO Joseph A. Gordon DSO-LP COMO Carolyn V. Belmore DSO-SLO Steve J. Kokkins DFSO-Flight Safety Officer District Administrative Assistant and Aides COMO Carolyn V. Belmore D-AA Paul T. McShane D-AD-Hotels Aaron A. Ledger D-AD-Meeting Setup Richard A. Young, Jr. D-AD-Meeting Setup Carolyn E. McClure D-AD-Conference Coordinator

Past Division Commanders Association Dennis M. DeGabriele President

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IN THIS ISSUE:

© 2021, by U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, District 1 Northern Region. See Publishing Information on Page 24 regarding reproduction and distribution of content in any medium or form. Nor’Easter is published quarterly at no expense to the U.S. Government or the U.S. Coast Guard. Cost of publication is borne by dues paying members of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, District 1 Northern Region, a volunteer unpaid civilian body whose mission is to assist the U.S. Coast Guard in its missions. As a matter of policy, rosters of names, addresses, and telephone numbers shall not be made available to the general public or any outside organization. Privacy of all rosters shall be safeguarded and the page clearly labeled. The publication of rosters on any online service is prohibited by the Privacy Act of 1974.

FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK: Summer is on its way and so is our commitment to reach out and once again embrace the boating public. National Safe Boating Week and our District’s very first Virtual D-TRAIN conference are just around the corner. Both are annual events and take a great deal of planning on the part of many Auxiliary members who make up the First Dis-trict Northern Region. We at the Nor’Easter encourage all members to take advantage of these events. Our last item in this issue covers the National Recreational Boating Safety Survey. The survey indicates a trend we need to change for boaters in our district. ***The Nor’Easter Production Team hopes that you enjoy this issue. Your comments and feed-back are appreciated. We are actively looking for stories and photographs for the upcoming spring and summer issues. Please contact us with your ideas, works in progress, or already completed articles that can be included in the next issue. Thomas Broderick, DSO-PB Leslie Schwartz, ADSO-PB SNNE Richard Keating, ADSO-PB SBOS

NOR’EASTER USCGAUX District 1NR Winter 2021 **

Commodore’s Message 4 District Chief of Staff’s Message 5 National Safe Boating Week 6 Virtual D-TRAIN 11 100 Years 16 Photo Contest 17 UFO 18 National Recreational Boating Safety Survey 19

ON THE COVER: A resting kayak at the Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Rhode Island. Photo courtesy: Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve

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NOR’EASTER USCGAUX District 1NR Winter 2021

Welcome to 2021. First, I hope everyone had a safe, healthy, and Happy Holiday season. I hope this issue finds you safe and OK. This message is the first article as DCO, and I look forward to the next two years and working on the reconstitution of all our activities. These last two years have been quite a challenge, from the government shut down to the COVID situation; this has been unique in many ways. I look forward to working with David as we move forward, as it appears vaccinations are starting, and many of our members are on the list for initial rounds of injections. Every state is different in how they are handling this. Hope-fully, this is the start of our return to work. I also want to thank everyone for your support and patience. We have many challenges ahead, and to-gether we will overcome and succeed. Our new team at the DIRAUX office is determined to assist in getting us back in the game. They are phenomenal, and I look forward to working with them too. Finally, I want to mention the importance of stepping up to leadership roles. Stepping up is critical to everyone having a tremendous Auxiliary experience. Think about helping out if and where you can. It may seem daunting, but we have training and help … you are not alone! The benefits you receive are far greater than the effort made. You get more out of anything by putting more into it. Being an FSO, VFC or FC are extraordinary times and expands your knowledge and sphere of activities. Moving up to Division and District gives even more opportunities and experiences you can get nowhere else. Think about it, and if you have questions, reach out to leadership. We also can get you the leadership training to enhance your skills set and help you achieve success. The initial Leadership and Management Course is available virtually and in the beginning in the leadership training path. We have already scheduled the first course, and more is on the way. Also, our Virtual D-TRAIN is available and has over 50 courses available for you to explore. I want us to be ready to go when things open up without any further delay. Ensure you have all the required training necessary to do your job. Make certain you have all the required equipment for safe interaction with the public and fellow Auxiliarists. Is your facility ready; has it passed inspection. Planning is crucial if we are to be suc-cessful. At every level, district, division, flotilla, and each one of us needs to be plan-ning now for the future. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you, and I hope to get us back doing all the activities we have chosen to do for the Auxiliary.

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Shipmates, February has begun with the enthusiasm and hopes that we are turning the corner with COVID 19. Our annual District Training will take place this March 13 to the 21 on a Virtual Platform. Our Conference Planner, Carolyn McClure, has been hard at work with her team, creating a training venue of more than 50 classes offered in 87 sessions. Instruc-tors are local specialists and members of the National Train-ing Staff. Zoom requires instructors to provide the details of each class by March 5. So please do not wait to sign-up; your deadline is also March 5. The Web address to sign-up is http://forms.gle/2o3NK6FajcSyLVJN8. The Web address is also on the district's Web site. If you have questions, please call Carolyn McClure. Twenty-four members of D1NR signed up early for the leadership and Management Course (LAMS). This C-school course was open to a national waiting list and there-fore is full. This valuable training course is the Auxiliary's premier leadership course. Completing this course allows you to hold office and counts towards AUXOP certifi-cation. If you plan to take this course in the future, submit a request through DSO-MT, Don Ladd. Offered in two segments LAMS A, starting on March 26, and LAMS B beginning on May 3, is provided at different locations throughout the county. The cost of attending these classes is fully reimbursable by the Coast Guard. All travel, meals, hotel, parking, and tips are covered. I am incredibly pleased to learn that our new DIRAUX CDR Christina Sullivan is attending this training. You can find more information about C-School by attending our Virtual D-TRAIN class C-School (Travel & Learn). Also, check out the National Training Web site at http://wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=aux00. Many thanks to those who have been bringing us back to life. Food Service mem-bers are working at Sector Boston. Watchstanders are returning to their duties, Program Visitors are out and about, and Vessel Examinators are looking toward our boating season beginning. Our patience and diligence are paying off. We ask all our members to start now on planning how they can make our number one job the safety of all those on the water. Be well, Shipmates


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Saturday, May 22, 2021 to Friday, May 28, 2021

Safe Boating Week

Start Planning Now

Winter is finally coming to an end, so hopefully we can put our snow shovels away soon. Most harbormasters have already sent out mooring permit renewals. Flotilla Materials Officers have ordered boating brochures and booklets. And Flotilla Commanders will soon be receiving their Flotillas’ allocation of Vessel Safety Check stickers. This time of year is ripe to start planning for this summer’s boating season. National Safe Boating Week begins on Saturday, May 22, 2021, and ends Friday, May 28, 2021. This event is an excellent way for our Flotillas to be involved with the boating public, and planning early will help ensure successful interaction.

ALL Hands On Deck

Every flotilla member should be included in safe boating activities! Vessel Examiners, Program Visitors, and Public Relations personnel are not the only ones needed; other members can participate in this safe boating event. For example, members are needed to staff RBS information booths to hand out brochures and other materials This event is a key opportunity for members to shadow Vessel Examiners in the process of examining recreation boats, so plan on having materials and information relevant to becoming a Vessel Examiner. There’s something for everyone!!!


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Working with a local harbormaster or commercial marina to secure a safe place for an RBS booth and a Vessel Safety Check station is a top priority, where possible. However, working with other organizations can be helpful too. Call the National Park Service or a State Park Service to find a campground that has water access. In addition, the US Army Corps of Engineers has campgrounds and boat ramps throughout New England, and some of their recreation facilities have a designated Boating & Water Safety Day in May, so reach out and find out if your flotilla can join their event. Landlocked? Not every Safe Boating Week event needs to take place at a boat ramp! Senior centers, community centers, and libraries are good locations for RBS booths as well.

Save The Date

Plot a Place

Saturday, May 22, is event day! Plan to set up a RBS booth at a town boat ramp, include a Vessel Safety Check station, and you have the makings of a special day. Planning early will allow individual flotilla members to mark their calendars, and will ensure that more members participate. The date, as well as the time period should be part of a every flotilla’s official calendar.


Photo Courtesy of The U.S. Coast Guard.

Photo Courtesy of The U.S. Coast Guard.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCTPxFsTHO4

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Stick ’em Up

Don’t forget to include Paddle Smart booklets and “If Found Contact” stickers in your plan. Paddle Smart is still a high priority, and adrift kayaks are still causing harbormasters and the USCG a lot of time and money. As we all know, the USCG has to search for the occupant of an adrift kayak. The cost of the search, time and, money is well worth the price if someone is overboard. But if the kayak owner is home watching a Red Sox game, then the search becomes a terrible waste of time and money. So plan on having plenty of “IF FOUND CONTACT” stickers on hand and plenty of flotilla members to hand them out.

Strut Your Stuff

Make sure you have plenty of materials to give out—plan on making your Flotilla’s RBS booth an attractive place to visit. Arrange brochures, pamphlets, and booklets in such a way that people will feel comfortable reaching in and taking what they need. Your Flotilla’s Public Relations Officer knows a lot about setting up an information booth.

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Risk Management

Every public relations event we plan should include a Risk Assessment. Heat and humidity, even in May, could pose a problem. On the other hand, being near open water could be difficult on a cold and windy day. It doesn't take much wind to blow a tent away. In addition to the disruption it would cause, a tent could do a lot of damage to persons or property. So plan on having weights to hold down the tent, and a new Risk Assessment on the morning of the event to deal with the wind and other weather issues. Make sure each participant is aware of the weather on May 22, 2021 and plan accordingly.

Want to turn heads towards your RBS event table? Use a tablecloth like the one shown below! A number of companies offer such products that can be ordered on the internet; just type into your search engine “promotional tablecloth”. The one below is from Vistaprint for about $200.00. Don't forget to check your flotilla's budget. Your tablecloth is going to look great.

Looking Great


Will Plikaitis and Bob Braunstein greeting people as they enter the Town of Barnstable’s Adult Community Center during the centers annual Thrive Expo.

Photo courtesy of Vistaprint

It does not do to leave a live dragon out of your calculations if you live near one. J.R.R. Tolkien

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Don’t Stop now!

Keep the momentum and “chemistry” going with the group of Auxiliarists who worked together at the booth. Find places and partners, and stage other RBS public outreach events all summer long. And remember: Hosting an event needn’t be a monumental undertaking. Even a small, simple event can have a large and lasting impact!

COVID– 19 has changed the way we live. As Auxiliarists, it’s changed the way we interact with the boating public. As was the case in 2020, the New England boating season for 2021 may not be an active one for us. The COVID-19 vaccine will play a critical role in getting back to normal, and we’ll need to wait patiently for guidance from the Coast Guard. This quiet period is a perfect time to plan ahead and be “Semper Paratus” when change for the better finally comes our way. By planning now, our district, divisions, flotillas—- each and every Auxiliarist—- will be ready to resume the activities and duties we all cherish and look forward to.

Future Forward


Coastie pictured on the left, is a great way to attract both children and adults to your RBS event. This guy has it all ... naviga-tion lights, searchlights, beacon, siren, air horn, and--- believe it or not---- he even talks! Coastie is available to any flotilla engaging with the public. However, training is required for safe and proper operation. This is an opportune time to get that training. Check out the website “U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary - Public Affairs - Public Relations”

Photo courtesy of USCG Aux. Public Affairs - Public Relations

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Saturday, March 13, 2021 to Sunday, March 21, 2021

Virtual D-TRAIN Week

Have You Registered for Virtual D-TRAIN?

What are you waiting for?

You can’t attend classes without

Registering!

Register via Everbridge Open the E-Mail of February 5 and click on the link

Some classes have a maximum - so register early

Registration opened February 5 and will close March 5

After March 5 your instructor(s) will

Send you a Zoom link(s)

First District Northern Region Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island

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Listed below are over 50 individual courses; some are offered more than once

Course Name Day & Time Instructor Capacity

AUX Civil Rights/AUXMAN Chp7 SAT 3/13 1100-1250 Wes Baden

AUXDATA II ADVANCED SUN 3/21 1300-1450 Laurel Carlson

AUXDATA II Basic Class THUR 3/18 1800-1850 Laurel Carlson

AUXDATA II Basic Class THUR 3/18 1900-2000 Laurel Carlson

AUXDATA II for Coxswains/Crew SAT 3/13 1200-1350 Laurel Carlson

AUXFS Basic Class Part 1 of 4 MON 3/15 1800-1850 Carolyn McCLure

AUXFS Basic Class Part 2 iof 4 TUE 3/16 1800-2000 Carolyn McClure

AUXFS Basic Class Part 3 of 4 WED 3/17 1800-2000 Carolyn McCLure

AUXFS Basic Class/EXAM part 4 of 4 THUR 3/18 1800-2000 Carolyn McClure

AUXFS Sanitation Refresher & Exam SUN 3/21 1500-1700 Carolyn McClure

AUXILIARY New Member Class 101 SAT 3/13 1100-1250 COMO Kubat

AUXILIARY New Member Class 101 TUE 3/16 1800-2000 COMO Kubat

Aux Leadership Development Program SAT 3/13 1100-1200 Peter Graham

Aux Leadership Development Program SAT 3/20 1000-1100 Peter Graham

Auxiliary University Program SUN 314 1300-1450 Jim Stevens

AUXSCOUT SAT 3/13 1400-1550 Oliviera

Aviation - Flight Safety Workshop SAT 3/13 1300-1400 Steve Kokkins, DFSO

BQ II Module 1 SAT 3/20 1300-1350 Mathias Mulvey



BQ II Module 4 SUN 3/21 1200-1250 Mathias Mulvey




Breakout Sector Boston SAT 3/13 0900-1050 DCAP Glen Gayton

Breakout SNNE SAT 3/13 1400-1550 DCAP Marchi

Breakout SSENE SAT 3/13 1200-1350 DCAP Cunniff

C Schools - Travel & Learn SAT 3/20 0900-1050 DCOS McClure

Completing your Facility Paperwork SAT 3/20 1100-1250 Joe Hogan

Conflict Resolution SUN 3/21 1300-1450 DCOS McClure

Confluct Resolution WED 3/17 1800-2000 DCOS McClure

CORE Civil Rights Awareness SUN 3/14 1300-1350 Mathias Mulvey

CORE Civil Rights Awareness FRI 3/19 1900-2000 Don Ladd


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Course Name Date & Time Instructor Capacity CORE Privacy @ DHS SUN 3/14 1500-1550 Mathias Mulvey

CORE Privacy @ DHS MON 3/15 1800-1850 Don Ladd

CORE Security Fundamentals WED 3/17 1800-1850 Don Ladd

CORE Security Fundamentals SUN 3/14 1600-1650 Mathias Mulvey

CORE Sexual Harassment THUR 3/18 1800-1850 Don Ladd

CORE Sexual Harassment SUN 3/14 1200-1250 Mathias Mulvey

CORE Workforce Resilience Training TUE 3/16 1800-1850 Don Ladd

CORE Workforce Resilience Training CORE SUN 3/14 1400-1450 Mathias Mulvey

CRM Aviation MON 3/15 1800-2000 COMO Moe 50

Diversity FRI 3/19 1900-2000 Bruce Brady

Fllotilla Finance 101 SUN 3/14 1300-1550 N Choquette/M Moore

How to Host Fellowship SUN 3/14 1500-1650 Carolyn McClure

How to obtain AUXOP SAT 3/20 0900-1100 Dan Farren

Intro Aids to Navitagation SAT 3/20 1100-1250 Jim Stevens

Intro to Boat Crew SUN 3/14 1500-1650 Dan Farren

Intro to Public Affairs SAT 3/13 1500-1650 DCOS D McClure

Intro to SAR SAT 3/13 0900-1150 Ted Chatham

Intro to SAR WED 3/17 1800-2000 Ted Chatham

Marlinspike Seamanship SUN 3/21 1500-1700 Joe Encalada

Marlinspike Seamanship MON 3/15 1800-2000 Joe Encalada

Mentoring New Members SAT 3/13 1300-1450 Dewayne Roos

Metrics SAT 3/13 0900-1050 Peter Jenson

Metrics TUE 3/16 1800-2000 Peter Jensen

MST Active Dury Identifying Pollution WED 3/17 1800-2000 MST1

Nav Rules Review TUE 3/16 1800-2000 Dan Farren

Nuts & Bolts for DCDRs SAT 3/20 0900-1150 COMO Beolmore

Nuts & Bolts for FC SAT 3/13 1300-1550 COMO Belmore

Nuts & Bolts for FC SUN 3/21 1300-1550 COMO Belmore

OPS Workshop SAT 3/13 1500-1650 Joe Hogan

OPS Workshop SAT 3/20 0900-1100 JoeHogan

Paddlecraft & VE for Paddlecraft SUN 3/14 1300-1450 Amiro/Gayton

Paddlecraft & VE for Paddlecraft SAT 3/20 1400-1470 Amiro/Gayton

Ranks & Rates of Active Duty SAT 3/20 0900-1050 COMO Kubat

Situational Awareness SAT 3/20 1200-1350 Marshall Ronco

Course List Continued


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Course Name Date & Time Instructor Capacity Staff Officer Class SUN 3/14 1300-1450 COMO Grossimon

Staff Officer Class THUR 3/18 1900-2100 COMO Grossimon

TCT Refresher SAT 3/13 0900-1150 Dan Farren 30

TCT Refresher SAT 3/20 1300-1700 Don Ladd 30

TCT Refresher Part 1 of 2 MON 3/15 1800-1850 Ted Chatham 30

TCT Refresher Part 2 of 2 TUE 3/16 1800-2000 Ted Chatham 30

Telecommunications SAT 3/13 0900-1150 Charles Motes

Telecommunications Part 1 of 3 MON 3/15 1900- Charles Motes

Telecommunications Part 2 of 3 TUE 3/16 1900-2000 Charles Motes

Telecommunications Part 3 of 3 WED 3/17 1900-2000 Charles Motes

Things you can do as an Auxiliarist SUN 3/20 1300-1450 DCOS McCLure

VE Refresher WED 3/16 1800-2000 Bob Amiro

VE Refresher SUN 3/21 1100-1250 Bob Amiro

What Ship Is That? SAT 3/20 1100-1250 Harlan Doliner

Tropical Dress Blue and Civilian Business Casual

are the uniforms of the day.

Course List Continued

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4b/AUX_W.svg

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Zoom Etiquette

Here are some tips to help ensure our classes go smoothly for all involved. Remember, some courses might have 50 people or more. Arrive early— maybe 15 minutes early to become familiar with how Zoom works. Check out your microphone and the camera. Take some time to become familiar with all the features. One of the most important things we need to know is how to turn our computer’s microphones on and off. There are several ways, but Commodore Belmore gave us this hint: use the space bar. Find a quiet space without interruptions and/or ambient noise. Make sure your background is appropriate. Avoid backlight from bright windows. Better yet, use a virtual background. Have good lighting on your face, so you are visible. Position your camera to be at eye level. Mute your microphone when you are not talking. Avoid talking when others are talking. Be aware you are on camera and avoid doing other tasks like checking your E-mail and looking at your phone. If you have a talkative parrot, please move your fine feathered friend to another room.

Here is some useful information from the University of Otago in New Zealand about how we should conduct ourselves when attending a Zoom conference meeting. Hopefully the information will be helpful in our Virtual D-TRAIN classroom settings.

First, don’t forget to download the Zoom application onto your computer. Spend some time becoming familiar with the app. There are some great videos to view on both Zoom and YouTube about how to use Zoom.

What, What, What did that guy say about parrots?

Parrot drawing Courtesy of Supercoloring.com

http://www.supercoloring.com/coloring-pages/perched-parrot?version=print

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“The United States Eighth Air Force deployed to England with a daunting mission: destroy Germany’s ability to wage war, and gain command of the European skies to pave the way for an Allied land invasion. In order to accomplish it, thousands of American airmen had to face the constant threat of death daily.” (National World War II Museum, New Orleans, reprinted here with permission) One of those airmen, Captain Neil Maher, a retired member of Flotilla Woods Hole on Cape Cod, just celebrated his 100th birthday. Neil was a qualified crewman aboard Ernie LeBlanc’s “Allouette” Facility. As a Boeing B-17 pilot, from before D-Day until the end of the war, Captain Maher made bombing runs over Germany. Before D-Day, his first missions were to soften the German lines protecting occupied France from an American—British invasion from across the English Chanel. After D-Day, it was on to Germany itself to destroy the Germans’ ability to make war machinery. Captain Maher was able to do something no other B-17 pilot could do— he could back up into the narrowest of spaces at the overcrowded air bases in England. Today Neil goes to his wife Peg’s grave every morning at the National Cemetery in Bourne, where he “ gets his Daily Orders.”

100 Years

Captain Neil Maher By Barry O’Neil

Captain Neil Maher, pilot ( kneeling far left) wit his crew in front of his B-17

Photographer not known

Photo by Desiree

Captain Maher sitting in his easy chair with his boat crew members Charlie Lucas (standing) and Barry O’Neil.

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The staff of the Nor’Easter seeks photos to create a library of images for use in upcoming issues.

All photos will be catalogued in the newsletter’s library. The top five chosen per issue will be featured, so start clicking away and send us your pics via email.

Activities involving flotilla members are key; “everyday doings” are what we’re looking for. It doesn’t have to be a special event or out-of-the-ordinary, although unique happenings are encouraged too!

Subject matter such as vessel safety checks, cooking for a station, or someone being fingerprinted would be spot-on. And photos of any activities involving interaction with Coast Guard personnel are, or course, very wel-comed ( where appropriate/authorized).

Photo Contest

We are requesting that participants in this year’s Virtual D-TRAIN send in photos of themselves attending classes. Some background photos of the room(s) you are in would be appreciated. The proper attire is a must for the photo to make it into the Nor’Easter. If you had your favorite pet attending please include him or her as well.


Courtesy of Auxiliary Leadership Development Program

This website has been designed as a one-stop portal for all USCG Auxiliary members looking for information about Auxiliary C-School programs. This site will grow as all C-School program managers post specific school information. The USCG Auxiliary and Commandant (CG-BSX) are dedicated in their support of auxiliary training and want every student to have all the necessary information needed.

Check out the C- School website

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Unidentified Floating Objects By Tom Doane, FSO– PB

My first encounter with this surfboard was disconcerting at best. The Ipswich and Merrimack rivers are congested during the summer boating season. Powerboats and sailboats are following the channel markers to get to Ipswich Bay or into their homeports. These vessels are crossing the channel. They’re creating havoc, near misses, close calls, and yes close encounters.

Technology is adding speed to the surfboard. First, a sail was added, increasing the speed of the surfboard. And most recently, a hydrofoil was added. The surfboard, the sail, and the hydrofoil are not new, but you have something new when you add all three together, something that I never encountered before.

Fellow flotilla member Sarah and I were out on my 25-foot Cape Dory in early August 2020; the wind was blowing at 20 knots. The wind and tide were going against each other, creating quite a lumpy sea. There were also some offshore rollers. While we were coming down the channel, we crossed the course of a windsurfer with a hydrofoil going a least as fast as the wind. The surfboard was above the water by about 2 feet because of the hydrofoil. The surfer came by my stern completely silent. I didn’t know he was there, but Sarah pointed him out. He then turned back and crossed my bow, just missing us; he was going a least 20 knots. I had the engine on, so I tried to give way, but he was going too fast. I could barely react.

At first, I saw some humor in this new high-speed vessel, but then I had the realization of, just like the incredible growth in the popularity of kayaks, there is a downside to this new type of vessel. The downside is people, soon to be boaters, getting involved in an exciting new sport (shall we call it Flying Surfboarding) and do not know how to be safe on the water.

In my research, following my encounter, I realized that these surfboards are very expensive and require a lot of physical skill and endurance to operate. Unlike kayaks, I don’t think we will see massive growth in this type of vessel. But I still I worry about safety in the channel with a half dozen of these vessels, plus PWC’s, kayaks, canoes, sailboats, and my Cape Dory.

UFO

Photo by William Bell

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Did anyone try to buy a boat this past spring and summer? If you did, you would have discovered there was not a large inventory of boats to choose from. Some marine dealers ran out of boats to sell. Sales have taken off. Here is what Boating Industry magazine reported about consumer demand for new boats (Most of their facts come to us from the National Marine Manufacturers Association– NMMA).

National Recreational Boating Safety Survey

With heightened interest in outdoor recreation activities and ways to social distance, consumer demand for new boats surged across the country in 2020. The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), representing North American recreational

boat, engine and marine accessory manufacturers, reports that retail unit sales of new powerboats in the U.S. increased last year by an estimated 12% compared to 2019. More than 310,000 new power-boats were sold in 2020, levels the recreational boating industry has not seen since before the Great Recession in 2008.

“2020 was an extraordinary year for new powerboat sales as more Americans took to the water to escape pandemic stress and enjoy the outdoors safely,” said Frank Hugelmeyer, NMMA president. “For the first time in more than a decade, we saw an increase in first-time boat buyers, who helped spur growth of versatile, smaller boats – less than 26 feet – that are often towed to local waterways and provide a variety of boating experiences, from fishing to watersports.” (Boating Industry Magazine)

A Call to Plan and A Call to Action


How many Vessel Safety Checks did we complete? How many public Safe Boating courses did we teach? How many RBS public affairs events did we hold? Through no fault of our own those RBS events did not take place, Below are some facts about 2020 as reported by the USCG in their annual report, the National Recreational Boating Safety Survey. Please note that to-date, the survey has not been finalized, so we present this information as general points-of-reference only.

http://www.nmma.org/

http://www.nmma.org/

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In our district in 2019, there were 30 boating accident deaths— a ten year low. In 2020 the number of deaths more than doubled. Deaths from drowning increased by almost 70%. Victims who were not wearing PFD increased by close to 75 percent. Victims falling overboard in-creased by over 60%. All the numbers, compared to 2019, show a trend going in the wrong direction. Here is some more information: Vessel Safety Checks were down to almost zero. Public RBS education classes were down near 80 percent compared to 2019. And although our public relations events are not part of the survey, we know that we did not hold any.

Is there a correlation between increased boat sales, more people boating, a decrease in our recreational safe boating outreach programs, and the rise of boating accident deaths? The death rate among recreation boaters both nationally and in our district have increased considerably. Listed below are seven objectives addressing the problems that occurred during this past boating season in our district. The objectives come from the USCG First Coast Guard District, Boston, Massachusetts.


Slides on this page and the following pages courtesy of the USCG First Coast Guard District Boston, Massachusetts


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One way to increase Navigation Rule aware-ness among boaters is to volunteer to help out at your Flotilla’s next public relations RBS event. Better still, consider becoming a Vessel Examiner.

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Another way to help—plan on joining one of your Flotilla’s Vessel Examiners at a kayak launching area and help hand out “IF FOUND CONTACT” stickers and “BE SMART, BE SAFE, HAVE FUN” booklets. You will have fun!!

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Nor’Easter is published quarterly by U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, District 1 Northern Region. The Nor’Easter Production Team, consisting of the Editor and sector ADSO-PBs, welcomes submission of content including but not limited to special recognition of individual members and units, flotilla and division events and activities, sector and division training, all aspects of recreational boating safety, and district matters that are of general in-terest to members or warrant their attention Submissions are reviewed by the Editor and Production Team and approved by the District Commodore or designee. © 2021. All rights reserved. Produced in house. Printed in the U.S.A. Copyright Notice Nor’Easter and all its content are protected under United States copyright law. USCG-related organizations, such as Auxiliary flotillas, divisions and districts, are hereby granted authorization to copy or reproduce any portion of Nor’Easter. All other organizations, publications and individuals, however, must apply for and re-ceive written permission prior to reproduction and distribution of Nor’Easter content in any medium or form. Disclaimer Nor’Easter is published for informational purposes only. District 1 Northern Region is not responsible for the contents of any of the resources referenced in or accessible from Nor’Easter. District 1 Northern Region does not make any warranty, express or implied, with respect to the use of information provided, and it does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, usefulness, or adequacy of any resources, information, apparatus, prod-ucts, or processes and in addition it is not responsible for any errors or omissions in the resources or information utilized, or for the results obtained from use of such resources or information, apparatus, products, or processes.

PUBLISHING INFORMATION


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Calendar of Events 2021

February 23 EXCOM 1930 Conference Call February 26 District Board and Staff 1900 Conference Call

March 13– 21 Virtual D-TRAIN Zoom

March 23 EXCOM 1930 Conference Call March 26 District Board and Staff 1900 Conference Call

April 20 EXCOM 1930 Conference Call April 23 District Board and Staff 1900 Conference Call

See the district website for additional details, other events, and updates.

This issue of Nor’Easter received clearance on 18 February2021.

TO:

Visit us on the Web:

a013.uscgaux. info

District 1 Northern Region Mission Statement

The Coast Guard Auxiliary is a component of the United States Coast Guard, which is a multi-mission maritime service and one of the Nation’s five Armed Services. The mission of the Auxiliary is to protect the public, the environment, and U.S. economic interests, in the Nation’s ports and waterways, along its coasts, on international waters, or in any maritime region as required, and to support national security in a non-military role and non-direct law enforcement role.

Department of Homeland Security UNITED STATES COAST GUARD AUXILIARY Tom Broderick, DSO-PB USCG Aux. Support Center, 3163 Burge Blvd., Buzzards Bay, MA 02542 OFFICIAL BUSINESS DATED MATERIAL

NOTICE: Newsletter Requirement for Publication All flotilla and division newsletters must include the date they were approved for publication after receiving clearance from Richard Keating, ADSO-PB. Example: "This publication received clearance on 15 January 2020."

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